Spark-gap for the production of powerful electrical oscillations.



E. l. SIMON.

SPARK GAP FOR THE PRODUCUON 0F POWERFUL ELECTRCAL OSCILLATIONS.

APPLlcMloN r|LED1uNE24, 1912.

1,258,103-, Patented Jan. 8,1918.

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, INVENTO/ EMIL J. SIMON, 0E NEW YORK, N. Y.,

SPARK-GAP EoR THE PRODUCTION or POWERFUL ELECTRICAL osCILLATIoivs.

. Specication of Letters Patent.

PatentedJan. 8, 1918.

Application mea rune 24, 1912. serial No. 705,516.

T0 all whom z't-may concern.

Be it known that I, EMIL J. SIMON, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city, county, and State of New York, have made a certain new and useful Invention in Spark-Gaps for the Production of Powerful Electrical Oscillations, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to spark gap structures for use in the production of powerful electrical oscillations. 1

The objectV of the invention is to provide a spark gap structure which is simple and eiiicient.-

A further object of the invention is to provide a spark gap of unit construction, that is, a spark gap device composed or made up of units, each unit comprising at least one spark gap space between suitably opposed electrodes, and which space is maintained air tight.

A further object of the invention is to provide a unit construction of spark gap wherein the electrodes composing each unit ofthe spark gap are held together independently of the other units and under sulficient pressure to secure air tightness therebetween and constitute or form the unit, the complete spark gap being composed of a plurality of such units, whereby the complete spark gap may be easily assembled by bringing together any desired number of independent units, and may be easily repaired by removing and replacing individual units.

Other obyects of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter.

The invention consists substantially in the construction, combination, location and relation of parts, all as will be more fully hereinafter set forth, as shown in accompanying drawing, and linally pointed out in the apy pended claims.

reference sign wherever it occurs throughout the several views. 'A

In the accompanying drawing I have shown a unit of the spark gap composed of three plates, namely, two outer and anfinterposed or intermediate plate, but I wish it to be distinctly understood that my invention, in the broadest scope thereof, as dened in the Claims, is not to be limited or restricted to the employment of three electrode plates. And while I have shown my inventlon as applied to plates whichare of circular or generally circular form, it is to be understood that my invention in its broadest scope, and as defined in the claims, is not to be limited or restricted .in this respect. l v

In the particular form shown, the intermediate plate, which I have designated by reference numeral 2, is provided, on each side face thereof, with a seat or recess 4,

preferably, though not necessarily, circular in outline, into which is inserted an electrode member 5. In practice I prefer to make the disk member or plate 2, of metal, Any suitable metal may be employed for this purpose. The electrode member 5, which is seated in the recess in the face of the plate 2, is preferably of good thermal as well as electrical conducting material, such, for instance, as electrolytic copper. This electrode member 5, is secured in its seat in the face of the plate 2, in any suitable or convenient manner. I have found it a convenien-tl arrangement to solder said insert or electrode plate 5 into its seat.

Associated with the disk or member 2, is a coperating member or disk, or plate, as above dened, which I- have designated by the numeral 1. The, opposed surface or side face of the member 1, is similarly provided with a seat or recess 6, therein in which is similarly seated and secured a eoperating electrode member 7. The opposed surfaces of the electrode members or inserts, 5, 7, fixed or seated in the recesses 4, 6, of the opposed faces of the plates or disks 1, 2, are preferably separated from each other a suitable and convenient distance apart. This separation is accomplished, or may be accomplished, `in any suitable or convenient manner. I have shown a' simple arrangement wherein raised bosses or rims 8,are formed in the opposed faces orsurfaces of the plate members 1, 2 and preferably in the formof raised annali surrounding the elec` lod' trode plates 5, 7, therein and which surfaces 8, are arranged to be brought into contact.

or bearing relation with interposed packing when the plates are assembled. It is eX- ceedingly important, and in fact necessary, that the air apf space between the opposed faces of the e ectrode members 5, 7, be maintained absolutelyair tight andthe individual members composing the unit electrically insulated from each other. This may be accomplished in many specifically different ways. vI have shown a suitable arrangement for accomplishin these purposes wherein Ihave interpos between the bearing surfaces of the raisedlannuli 8, of the plates 1, 2, a suitable air tight insulating material which I have indicated at 9 in the drawing. This may be of any suitable material capableof maintaining the joints between the raised surfaces 8 of the assembled plates perfectly air tight and electrically insulated. l

In the formfshown the plate 2, is provided with seats or recesses in both the faces thereof and an additional or third plate 3, is associated with the other side thereof from the plate l; Where three plates constitute or compose the unit of the gap device, the

outermost plates are provided with seats` or recesses -6 and inserted electrode plates 7, only on their inner faces, while, the intermediate plate 2 is provided with seats or recesses 4 and inserted plates 5, on both faces thereof. lhere three plates are employed for the unit the intermediate plate is separated in like manner as above described from both of the outermost plates by interposed raised bosses 8 and an interposed air-tight and insulating packing.

While I have mentioned the fact that two or three plates assembled together constitute a unit of the gap structure, it is to be understood that my invention is not to be limited or restricted in this respect as a larger number of plates may also be assembled together to form the unit of the gap device. l

In accordance with the essential characteristics of my invention the complete spark gap is composed of a plurality of the units such as above described. It is also an essential characteristic of my invention that ythe spark occurs or jumps between t between the electrode surfaces or in the gap between the electrode surfaces thereof. ,It is exceedino'ly important to maintain the opposed surfaces of the electrode members 5, 7 in absolutely parallel planes and a fixed distance apart. In the use of the apparatus ese surfaces and any irregularity in parallelism of the two surfaces composing a pair of electrodes, or any variation of their distance apart introduces irregularitieswhich interfereewtith the proper functioning of the apf paratus as a spark gap device. F orvthis l reason the means employed for securing the desired degree of pressure between jthe in-l dividual members-composing each unit, must be so designed and constructed as to secure equality of pressure all the way around between the individual members orl plates composing the unit. To this end I prefer to employ suitable screw connections at three different points equally'spaced apart peripherally around the plates, where circular plates or disks are employed, that .is to say, three of such connecting devices operating from each side of the complete unit, making six connections in all. By this arrangement I am enabled to secure a most uniform degree of pressure and to maintain the plates in absolute alinement and parallelism with respec/t` to each other. It is obvious that other than the specific structure of pressure means shown may be employed without departure from the spirit and scope of my invention, the essential feature being that each unit of the gap construction contains within itselfthe means or devices for securing the pressure of the members composing the units with reference, to each other, and of suiiicient degree to secure air-tightness, inthe air 10.',v

gap spaces thereof. The complete spark gap device is made up by assembling together a plurality of individual units constructed as above described. To thishend the outerl faces or side surfaces 11, oli each unit are A made smooth or plain for electrical contact with the corresponding surface of the next adjacent unit assembled therewith. Of` course it is unimportant whether the elements or unitscomposing the spark gap structure be in surface or physical contactwith each other. They may be suitably separated but electrically connected together in any suitable or convenient manner. A more simple or compact arrangementis secured where they are placed side by side and against and in contact with each other. Any desired number of the'units mayy be assembled together to make up a complete spark gap. In practice I prefer to employ the screw pressure securing devices 10, for the indivi-dual members of each unit at the outer or peripheral edges of the plates or members as clearly shown in the drawing.

A spark gap structure embodying the principles of my invention may be used in any desired situation and in connection with any desired circuit arrangement or apparatus employed for generating and radiating electro-magnetic oscillations or for producing powerful electrical oscillations.

In Fig. l, I have shown in diagram an illustration circuit arrangement adapted for use in connection with a spark ga construction embodying my invention. View of the drawing, reference letter E "designates the generator or source of current.-

This, while shown as an alternating current source of power, may lobviously be any other form of generator. The circuit of the enerator is coupled through a transformen S, with ar. oscillating circuit. The terminals of the secondary of the transformer 'are bridged by a circuit connection containing a condenser U, in thd usual manner. Arranged in one of the leads of the circuit of the secondary of the transformer and bridged by the condenser C, is located the spark gap structure forming my invention. This spark gap structure is indicated enerally by reference letter G, and the in ividual units of the spark gap device are designated respectively by G1, G2, G3, G4, G5. Included in series with the spark gap device is 'the inductive coupling member L1, associated with which, in the particular form shown, is an inductive coupling member L2. The latter is arranged in the circuit' of an antenna earth system O, B, in which, if desired, mayl be located an adjustable tertiary inductance L3, and an ammeter A. However, the details of the construction of the generating and radiating apparatus, and the method of coupling the generating system to the radiat ing system, are immaterial so far as my present invention is concerned and may be varied and altered within a wide range according to present knowledge of the develo mcnt of the art without departure from tife spirit and scope of my invention. The arrangement shown is purely for illustrative v purposes, for indicating the manner of use of the spark gap structure forming my present invention.

It will be observed that a spark gap structure embodying the principles of my invenvention attains the well known quenching action of spark gaps of the singing spark or high note systems. It will alsoj'jbe under stood that my invention is equally well adapted for use whether for telegraphing or telephoning or for other purposes utilizing powerful electrical oscillations, although for telegraphing purposes, as is well known, a suitable key or interrupter, not shown, will be employed at some convenient point in the generating or radiating systems according to able spark gap unit, comprising a plurality vof electrodes assembled together with o present well understood methods.

A spark gap structure embodying my 1nvention possesses the advantage of easy access n this to units for the removal, repair or replacel ment thereof or of the individual elements composing the units, and that the individual Y elements composingla unit are held together rersset forth theobject and'naf'Y of powerful electrical oscillations, comprls- Y ing a plurality of self-contained individually removable units, each unit comprising a plurality of electrodes spaced slightly apart by insulating and air-excluding materiali inclosing the sparking space, and said electrodes being held together under pressure by means forming part ofthe unit structure and serving to hold said electrodes in adjusted position whether assembled as part of the spark gap device or removed therefrom, whereby each unit is independent of the other units and of the gap as a whole.

2. A spark gap device for the production of powerful electrical oscillations, comprising a plurality of individually removable units, each unit comprisin of insulating and air-excluding material etween them and inclosing their sparking faces and with their sparking faces separated by an airtight spark gap space, and means for holding said electrodes together formin part of the unit structure and serving to ho d said electrodes in adjusted position` wheth spark gap devlce or removed therefrom, such means being independent of the means by which the electrodes of other units are held to ether and of the means for supporting or ho dingthe units in place. 4

3. A spark gap device for the production of powerful oscillations, comprislng a plurality of self-contained lndividually removable units, each unit comprising a lurality of disk shaped ,electrodes held toget er with their sparking faces separated by an airtight spark ga space by annular spacing packing of insu ating land air-tight material and by clamping means forming part of the unit structure and serving to hold said electrodes in adjusted position whether assembled as part of the spark gap device or reer assembled as part of the' a plurality of y electrodes held together un er pressure with Aa packin ico' moved therefrom, such means being indea `posing' faces olset from each other, a pac ing of insulating and air-excluding material between parts of said electrodes and inclosingthe opposing sparking faces thereof', and insulated screw pressure securing devices passing through said electrodes to hold the same and said' packing under pressure in assembled relation independently of any other unit.

5. A self-contained individually removable spark gap unit, comprisingl a pair of electrode termlnal plates and an intermediate electrode plate assembled to provide spark gapspaces between the `intermediate plate and each of the terminal plates, said plates being held together with packing of insulating and air-excluding material be'- tween the plates and surrounding the sparking faces thereof by holding means forming part of the unit structure and independent of any other unit and formed to hold the plates under pressure to provide air-tight `spark spaces between the plates.

6. A self-contained individually removable spark gap unit adapted to be assembled with one or more similar units to form a` multiple-unit spark gap, said unit comprising a plurality of electrode plates assembled together flat-wise with opposing sparking faces of adjacent plates separated to rovide a spark gap space between them, sai plates having packing of insulating and air-excluding material between adjacent plates and surrounding the sparking faces thereof, and

being held ressed together by a plurality of indepen ently adjustable clamping devices forming part of the unit structure and spaced peripherally about the plates beyond v tion whether. assembled in a multiple-unit structure or removed therefrom. 1 v

7. A self-contained individually 'removj v ing a plurality of electrode plates assembled togetherI flat-wise and spaced slightly apart by insulating` and air-excluding material inclosing thel sparking s ace and being held t0- gether under pressure by means forming part of the unit structure and serving to hold saidl electrode plates 'in adjusted position whetheraembled in a multiple-unit structure or removed therefrom, and the outer -faces of the electrode plates bein formed to bear against the outer faces of t e electrode plates of adjacent units in an assembled mul# tiple unit structure.

In testimony whereof li have hereunto set my hand in the presence of the'subscribing witnesses, on this 18th day of June, A. D.,

EMILJ. SIMON. Witnesses:

G. A. MCGRATH, S. E. DERBY.

their sparking faces, said clamping devices serving to hold said plates in adjusted posl- 

